This is only my 3rd litter and my first winter litter. They are becoming very active at nearly 4 weeks old and I will be moving them shortly to another part of the house to give them a bit more room.

But, my question is when do you generally let the pups venture outside for the first time? I obviously won't stick them in the middle of the lawn in a blizzard or torrential rain, but it's pretty nippy outside just now and is unlikely to turn "tropical" any time soon. :)

I have a porch at the front of the house which would offer some shelter, so thought attaching a run to that might be a good plan.

> when do you generally let the pups venture outside for the first time?

I try to have winter litters, as less likely to cause a problem with neighbours.

Mine usually go out for the first time about 4 weeks, have never managed to stretch it as far as 5 weeks no matter how bad the weather as they just are not happy in the puppy pen indoors past 4 1/2 weeks old.

If you look at my website at my 2008 'o' litter you will see the little darlings out in the Snow at just that age!

From then on they are not happy to stay indoors for long, and are screaming (like demented seagulls)the place down in the mornings to be let out.

My current pups were 4 weeks yesterday and already getting antsy, so waiting for a nice day in the week. 

I have bought them a large two part Pet Planet Dog House (on offer for £56) and put that in the dog run that I have reduced to 10 x 6 feet so that I could roof over most of it (last time the we had pups it just rained for weeks, so roofing a smaller area, made for dry playtime). 

That will keep them happy (an out of the other dogs hair) to about 6 weeks (though the adults will be able to hop in and out at will).

Then after that they will just be in and out the whole dog area with the adults until they go to their homes.

>I have a porch at the front of the house which would offer some shelter, so thought attaching a run to that might be a good plan.

That is what my friend did, but where I live I'd be worried about pups being too visible and vulnerable to theft.

I did it at five weeks, just a few minutes at first and then by the time they were used to it I just had to open the door and walk out before the entourage would follow happily. Occasionally you get a whinger though!

> That is what my friend did, but where I live I'd be worried about pups being too visible and vulnerable to theft.

Luckily I'm quite rural and live along an unmade road, so not much in the way of people passing, so I think the porch + run should be fine. They won't be left unattended for a minute! If it's nice enough next weekend we might try it out.